The director doesn't expect gifts (at least ours don't). We have the same thing with floaters and whatnot at our school. I just ask the director for the names of the teachers in each of my kid's room and for the spelling of each. Then I don't have to guess which ones I should give gifts to. If my kid transitioned between rooms, I give to the teachers in both rooms. I give them our holiday card because I think they'd like a nice picture of the kids. I include a nice note about how I appreciate all their hard work and try to include something personal about each one (Layra loves how you sing songs every morning). I include a $10-20 Target gift card, depending on my budget for the year and how many teachers I have to cover. I also send in some sort of baked goods for each room. Label if there's nuts b/c they can't eat it around the kids if there is. I don't do the visa/amex gift cards b/c they have a service charge. Target is everywhere around here, so they can always get there and find something to buy there. My one SIL is a daycare director and the other SIL is a preschool teacher (in the burbs). They say what I do is generous, but within the range of normal.

Anonymous wrote:How much would any of your experienced parents give to each teacher? My infant son is in the baby room of a larger center and there is 6-7 people we would need to give gifts to. With that many I'd feel embarrassed giving the small amount I could afford. I was considering a nice gift basket for the or will they get too many of those? I love everyone there for how much they care for my son and would like to show appreciation.

OP here - yes! Glad to hear others are in the same boat. I feel the same way. Love them and want to show it but not sure how to do so.

How much would any of your experienced parents give to each teacher? My infant son is in the baby room of a larger center and there is 6-7 people we would need to give gifts to. With that many I'd feel embarrassed giving the small amount I could afford. I was considering a nice gift basket for the or will they get too many of those? I love everyone there for how much they care for my son and would like to show appreciation.

I don't know if this is feasible at your center but it works at ours. One parent from each room volunteers to collect cash/checks from all families. Then the total is divided up. 50% of the pot is split among the 2 head teachers and 50% of the pot is split among the 4 assistants. All families sign the card. This way the teachers don't know who gave what and no teachers get left out. We do not give to the center director because she is a salaried employee making far more than the hourly teachers. GL!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

This true, however, 1) Daycare/teachers are underpaid 2) I f it comes down to it, I always choose to give cash to my daycare provider over any other service because they are the most important to my family.

PP here. You are right; most are probably underpaid ($10/hr?)

We are in a home daycare though with two caregivers for 9 kids.. so I think that ratio helps the providers.

2:9

Despite the ratio, I guarantee you still underpaid for the hard work and importance of the job!

PP here. I totally know! It's tough work. But that's another thread...

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I do understand, PP - we are pretty stretched with daycare too. I do want to do something though. I guess I'm more concerned with not missing anyone and individual gift cards seem to pose the greatest risk of that happening. Like I said the baby main teacher is consistent but the other two seem to rotate occasionally. I can't keep straight who is doing what. If I give a card to every teacher who has ever taken care of our girl there will probably be only a few people on the payroll who will miss out! And that just feels crappy. I wondered about some kind of gift alternative that would minimize this but maybe I have to just buy like 10 gift cards and write one heartfelt note for the group? Gah.

I understand your worry. What about a huge gift basket with goodies for everyone to share?

10 gift cards for how much each?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

This true, however, 1) Daycare/teachers are underpaid 2) I f it comes down to it, I always choose to give cash to my daycare provider over any other service because they are the most important to my family.

PP here. You are right; most are probably underpaid ($10/hr?)

We are in a home daycare though with two caregivers for 9 kids.. so I think that ratio helps the providers.

2:9

Despite the ratio, I guarantee you still underpaid for the hard work and importance of the job!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

This true, however, 1) Daycare/teachers are underpaid 2) I f it comes down to it, I always choose to give cash to my daycare provider over any other service because they are the most important to my family.

PP here. You are right; most are probably underpaid ($10/hr?)

We are in a home daycare though with two caregivers for 9 kids.. so I think that ratio helps the providers.

2:9

I know. But a couple of the kids are part-timers that come over after elementary school; so it isn't as terrible as it sounds. Only two infants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

This true, however, 1) Daycare/teachers are underpaid 2) I f it comes down to it, I always choose to give cash to my daycare provider over any other service because they are the most important to my family.

PP here. You are right; most are probably underpaid ($10/hr?)

We are in a home daycare though with two caregivers for 9 kids.. so I think that ratio helps the providers.

2:9

OP here. I do understand, PP - we are pretty stretched with daycare too. I do want to do something though. I guess I'm more concerned with not missing anyone and individual gift cards seem to pose the greatest risk of that happening. Like I said the baby main teacher is consistent but the other two seem to rotate occasionally. I can't keep straight who is doing what. If I give a card to every teacher who has ever taken care of our girl there will probably be only a few people on the payroll who will miss out! And that just feels crappy. I wondered about some kind of gift alternative that would minimize this but maybe I have to just buy like 10 gift cards and write one heartfelt note for the group? Gah.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

This true, however, 1) Daycare/teachers are underpaid 2) I f it comes down to it, I always choose to give cash to my daycare provider over any other service because they are the most important to my family.

PP here. You are right; most are probably underpaid ($10/hr?)

We are in a home daycare though with two caregivers for 9 kids.. so I think that ratio helps the providers.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

This true, however, 1) Daycare/teachers are underpaid 2) I f it comes down to it, I always choose to give cash to my daycare provider over any other service because they are the most important to my family.

I am a teacher. I also have a child in daycare. I always think cash or AMEX/visa gift card is best AND a thoughtful card that is more than "Happy holidays." For example, "I feel lucky to have Jane spend her days with you because you provide such a nurturing, stimulating environment. Etc,,,"

Ugh who can afford actual gifts for daycare staff when we are having to practically pay a second mortgage for the actual daycare.

On another note, I usually bring baked goods to co-workers... I'm assuming that wouldn't be suitable for daycare staff?

Our 10 month old is in a small center and I have zero idea of how to proceed re: holiday gifts. She has three teachers though there appears to be occasional rotation of a few of them. We drop her off early so there are also two teachers of older kids who look after her (or have in the past) until the baby teachers arrive. Then there is the center director. How do we make sure we don't miss anyone? Gift ideas? Protocol? Thanks!